Related Post: Meaning of labaik allahuma labaik

Under what circumstance should you say “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un” 

It is recommended to recite this verse whenever one is tested with hardship.

Everybody on earth faces challenges, losses, trials, adversities, and hardships in one form or the other – sometimes through losses and sometimes through abundance.

If we fail to realize the why and wisdom behind such trials, we can commit such mistakes that not only leave us depressed and dejected in this world but also take away our success in the hereafter.

It is therefore very important to understand the wisdom behind trials and tests in Islam and how to respond to them in a befitting and appropriate manner.

As Muslims, it is expected of us to remain in a positive state of mind, whatever the circumstances. True believers are those who remain patient when troubles befall them. That’s called Sabr!

Allah Almighty said in the glorious Quran:

Allah Almighty informs us that He tests and tries His servants, sometimes with bounty and sometimes with afflictions of fear and hanger. The important thing is when He said there is good news for those who are patient (As-Sabirin).

Beware: Some people think that tests only come in the form of hardships. Allah Almighty also tests us with ease. It’s often in the test of ease that we fail most.

However, hardship/suffering is also a very dangerous threat to our Eeman.

That’s why when in any bad situation, it is very important to comfort yourself with “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un” and let Allah handle the rest by His grace.

Allah said in the Quran:

Trials could be health-related, wealth-related, or it could be the life of our loved ones.

Whenever calamities like these happen, don’t turn on your heels because you’ll lose out a lot in this world and the next.

Never lose faith in Allah just because you’re hurt, rather accept the fact that He brought us to this world, He can do as He pleases, and to Him is our shall return.

True believers recite these words to console themselves in the face of their losses. Because they know that they belong to Allah and that He does what He wills with His servants.

They also know that no deed, even if it was the weight of an atom, will be left out on the Day of resurrection.

These facts should give us all the strength to believe that we are Allah’s slaves and that to Allah will be our return.

Virtues of saying “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un” during afflictions

What are these good tidings Allah has for the Sabirin (the patient)?

There are several Hadiths that mention the reward of accepting the fact that we all will return back to Allah by saying “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un” – "Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.'' – when afflicted with adversity.

For instance, quoting from Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Imam Ahmad reported that Umm Salamah narrated:

Once, Abu Salamah came back after he was with Allah's Messenger and said:

I heard Allah's Messenger recite a statement that made me delighted.

He said:

Umm Salamah said: So, I memorized these words.

When Abu Salamah died, I said the Istirja` and then said: "O Allah! Compensate me for my loss and give me what is better than it.''

I then thought about it and said, "Who is better than Abu Salamah?''

When my Iddah (the period of time before the widow or divorced woman can remarry) finished, Allah's Messenger asked for permission to see me while I was dyeing a skin that I had. I washed my hands, gave him permission to enter and handed him a pillow, and he sat on it.

He then asked me for marriage and when he finished his speech, I said,

"O Messenger of Allah! It is not because I do not want you, but I am very jealous and I fear that you might experience some wrong mannerism from me for which Allah would punish me. I am old and have children.''

He said:

As for the jealousy that you mentioned, Allah the Exalted will remove it from you. As for your being old as you mentioned, I have suffered what you have suffered. And for your having children, they are my children too.

She said, "I have surrendered to Allah's Messenger.''

Allah's Messenger married her and Umm Salamah said later,

"Allah compensated me with who is better than Abu Salamah: Allah's Messenger.''

Sahih Muslim reported a shorter version of this Hadith.

In another hadith, Abu Sinan said:

"I buried my son Sinan and Abu Talhah Al-Khawlani was sitting on the rim of the grave. When I wanted to leave he took me by my hand and said:

'Shall I not inform you of some good new O Abu Sinan!'

I said: 'Of course.'

He said: 'Ad-Dahhak bin Abdur-Rahman bin Arzab narrated to me, from Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'When a child of the slave (of Allah) died, Allah says to the angels: "Have you taken the fruits of his work." They reply: "Yes."

So He says: "What did My slave say?"

They reply: "He praised you and mentioned that to You is the return."

So Allah says: "Build a house in Paradise for My slave, and name it 'the house of praise.'"

Final Words

Allah created us into this world for a short while. Even if you manage to leave up to a hundred years, one day you will have to face death and return to your lord. Unlike this short worldly life, the life of the hereafter will never end.

Allah prepares us for the hereafter by testing our Eeman day in and day out.

Thus, calamities and disasters are nothing but tests which are also signs of Allah’s love for a person. Allah’s test and trials are like medicine – even though it tastes bitter, despite its taste you give it to heal the one whom you love.

In a Sahih hadith, it is said that:

“The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath.”

So, when you are tested with any hardship or discomfort, recite “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un” to console yourself in the face of your calamities. Insha’Allah, with this state of faith, Allah will compensate you with something better.

And Allah knows best!

In a nutshell, the steps outlined above are the core ones you must follow in order to perform Ghusl correctly.

Let's go over each step in greater detail to ensure that you understand it well.

Step 1: Declare your intention to perform Ghusl

Intention (or Niyyah) is simply a determination in the heart to do something that does not need to be expressed aloud.

In order to remove major ritual impurity, make an intention (in your heart) to make ghusl for Janabah (after sex), menstruation, or postpartum period. For instance, "I am performing ghusl to purify myself."

This intention should be conceived in your heart and not spoken aloud.

You can do ghusl once for several intentions or reasons. for example, if you had a wet dream or sex with your wife, and it's Eid and Friday at the same time. You will be rewarded for all of them, Insha Allah.

Step 2: Say “Bislmillah” and wash your hands

After declaring your intention to do ghusl, say Bismillah (i.e. In the name of Allah) then wash both hands up to your writs 3 times.

‘Aa'ishah reported that whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) wanted to take a ghusl due to sexual defilement (janaabah), he first washed both hands [three times] (Sahih Muslim vol.1, p.183,no. 618)

Step 3: Wash the private parts

Regardless of whether or not you can see any sign of impurity, wash your private parts very well.

Step 4: Perform a complete wudu

At this point, perform wudu as you do for your daily prayers, but remember to exclude your feet, you should delay washing the feet until you finish the bath.

Step 5: Wash your head

Use your fingers through your hair and beard (for men) so that water should reach your scalp.

Step 6: Wash your whole body

Rub water over the whole body. Begin by pouring water over your right shoulder up to three times, and then do the same to the left. And pour the same number of times over your head plus the rest of your body.

Meanwhile, take care of your arm-pits, ears, the navel, and the recesses of skin, make sure you rub all those corners with water.

Step 7: Wash your fit

After you finished washing your entire body, step aside from where you did the ghusl and gently wash your feet starting from the right foot and then the left up to, and including the ankles, three times. You should enter the water between the toes with your little finger and then wash the feet.

Step 8: Recite the same dua for wudu

Ash-hadu Alla ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Mohammadan Abdoho wa Rasoolah. Allahumma aj’alnee minattawwabeen, waj’alnee mottatahhireen.

This means:

I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship, but Allah, He has no partner, and I bear witness that Mohammad is His servant and His Messenger. O Allah, make me of those who repent for their sins, and of those who keep themselves pure.)

And Alhamdulillah you are done with ghusl.

Ghusl FAQs

In this section we'll try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Ghusl. 

If you have a particular question in mind which is not addressed here, you can state it in the comments section at the end of this post.

Why do we perform Ghusl/why is Ghusl important?

• It is beloved and pleasing to Allah (Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi)
• It is equal in excellence to half the faith (Muslim)
• It is one of the qualities of believers as it’s a type of worship seen only by Allah (Ibn Majah)
• It leads to acceptance of one’s Dua or supplication (Ahmad & Tabrani)
• Maintaining purity removes sins. (Muslim)
• It is one of the qualities of true nature (Muslim).

What are the acts of worship that cannot be done in the state of Janabah? or When is ghusl compulsory or Required?

Answer:

• Prayer (Salaat) – (Quran An-Nisa 4:43)
• Going round the Ka’ba (Bukhari and Muslim)
• Touching or carrying the Holy Quran (Nasai, Darqutni)
• Recitation of the Holy Quran (Ahmad and Abu Ya’la)
• Staying in the mosque ( Ibn Maja & Tabrani)

Can a husband and wife do ghusl together?

There is absolutely no veil between a husband and a wife who are united by marriage. And there is absolutely no restriction between them taking a shower or bath together if they wish to do so.

But in this case, this is not just a shower, but a spiritual bath, a bath that will prepare you to worship Allah. Which is why I think you should take ghusl alone and not with your wife.

Can ghusl be performed in flowing water?

Yes.

Ghusl can be performed in flowing water (Like River or Stream).

Staying in the water for a little while will mean that the Sunnah of washing the limbs three times as prescribed will automatically be fulfilled.

But if it’s in a pool (where the water is still), you’ll have to move your limbs 3 times or shift your body to 3 different areas in the water to fulfill the Sunnah of washing the limbs three times.

Can ghusl be performed in the shower?

Yes.

If there’s a shower fitted in your bathroom, see whether or not you face the direction of the holy Ka’bah before taking the bath.

Can ghusl be performed in the rain?

Yes.

Exposing one’s sitr (private parts) in front of others is Haram. Therefore when bathing under the rain, you should make sure no one sees you.

You can wrap a thick shawl over your trousers so that the color of your sitr or thighs is not exposed.

Can Ghusl (Janabah) replace Wudu?

Yes

You don’t need to perform wudu again after doing ghusl.

But if your palm touches your private parts after the bath, then you should perform ghusl.

What do I do with my knotted hair when doing ghusl?

You do not have to untangle strands of hair that get tied with each other.

When is it Sunnah to perform Ghusl?

It is Sunnah to perform ghusl (Janabah bath) on Friday, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, the day of ‘Arafah (9^th Zul-Hajj), and when wearing ihram.

For further questions, contributions or suggestions please comment below so that we can discuss them together Insha-Allah.

What are the important factors that make your ghusl satisfactory?

1. Intention (in the heart, not tongue) to remove major ritual impurity.
2. Clean filth with water
3. Pour water completely over the body. Make sure to wet your entire body with water.

When is it desirable to perform ghusl?

1. If one’s body is stained with impurity and he doesn’t remember exactly where the stain actually is.
2. In times of fear, extreme darkness, and severe storms.
3. For wearing new clothes.
4. For repentance from sin.
5. On recovering from unconsciousness.
6. For a madman, once he recovers from a state of madness
7. After washing the body of a deceased person.
8. On returning from a long journey.
9. For tawaaf
10. For other auspicious and blessed gatherings.
11. For the stay in Arafat.
12. The stay in Muzdalifah.
13. When visiting the Holy Prophet (SAW)
14. When entering Mina
15. For the three days that Hajis throw pebbles at the devil

What are the factors that necessitate Ghusl?

1. Discharge of sperm
2. Wet dreams
3. After the termination of menses
4. After the termination of pro-child birth bleeding (nifaas)

Note:
Many women believe that a woman remains impure after childbirth for a period of 40 days, whereas this is not the case. Please if you are having any issue concerning this; state it in the comments bellow.

Important issues concerning Ghusl?

1. Causing a seminal discharge deliberately by masturbating will necessitate ghusl. Masturbation is a sin though. It is a shameful act that leads to weakness in one’s reproductive abilities and experience has also proven that it leaves a lot of men unfit for marriage. Read: Why Masturbation is Wrong.
2. When sperm does not leave its origin in a state of lust, it does not necessitate ghusl (Janabah bath). But it does, however, nullify one's wudu.
3. Drops of thin sperm that are discharged whilst urinating or just standing around without any feeling of lust, do not call for ghusl, but will only nullify one's wudu.
4. If you remember a wet dream but there are no signs or effects of it on your clothing and or bed sheet then you don’t have to perform ghusl.
5. If you were experiencing lust whilst in Salah and could feel sperm moving but finished your Salah before you actually experienced a discharge, then your Salah is valid but you will now have to perform ghusl.

Other useful Precautions to note when performing Ghusl!

1. Do not face the Holy Ka’bah when performing ghusl.
2. Make sure you rub your hands all over your body whilst washing.
3. Make sure that no one can see you while you are performing ghusl.
4. You must not read a dua or talk while performing ghusl.
5. There is no harm in drying yourself with a towel once you have finished.
6. Get dressed as soon as the bath is completed.
7. It is desirable to read 2 rak’at nafl Salah.

Allah knows best.